Bobcats 'D' bends but doesn't break

Stats don't tell whole story for Refugio defense

Top-ranked Refugio players and coaches prepare for Saturday's Region IV-2A, Division II final with undefeated Blanco at the Alamodome

Bobcats linemen run through defensive drills during Tuesday's practice in Refugio.

Jourdan Ortiz has seen time on both sides of the ball for Refugio this season.

Junior Jourdan Ortiz leads the young Refugio secondary.

REFUGIO - Still undefeated at 13-0, Refugio's offense has received most of the attention during its run to the fourth round of the playoffs.

The defense deserves just as much credit.

Despite giving up 20 points per game in three playoff victories, Refugio is in the Region IV-2A Division II final for the second straight year. The Bobcats take on fellow unbeaten Blanco (13-0) Saturday night at the Alamodome.

Second-year coach Jason Herring admits the defense has been porous at times, something the unit has made up for with big plays. Like the fourth-quarter interception by Jourdan Ortiz in last week's 28-20 win over East Bernard.

"By the stats it might not look like we've dominated, but our defense has kept us in a bunch of ballgames," Herring said. "We bend but don't break."

Ortiz's pick is a prime example by a secondary made up of four underclassmen.

A junior, Ortiz is the most experienced of the bunch.

Bryan Castellano is a sophomore, while Cory Brown and Bryant Lewis are freshmen.

Brown has 61 tackles, followed by Castellano with 57. Ortiz is right behind with 56, while Lewis has 33.

Ortiz and linebacker Jacob Garcia are tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Brown and Lewis each have two along with linebacker Ysidro Gonzales.

Brown, Castellano, Lewis and Ortiz held up just fine against East Bernard, which didn't complete a pass in 10 attempts.

"They gave up zero yards passing the other night," Herring said. "At this level of football that's unheard of, especially with two kids that had never played varsity."

It's been that way most of the season.

Opponents have completed only 37 percent of their passes for 958 yards, average of 74 per game. The Bobcats have recorded 20 interceptions to go along with 14 fumble recoveries.

"They're great athletes, but were inexperienced coming in," Herring said. "For a bunch of young kids they've really stepped up."

It certainly helped last week.

Unable to throw, East Bernard turned to its ground game. The Brahmas churned out 329 yards and scored all three touchdowns on runs.

For a team averaging 41 points per game, holding East Bernard to 20 is quite an accomplishment.

"That's the reason we were able to win," Herring said. "With the type of offense that we run there are going to be nights when we're just not going to be as crisp and have to rely on our defense."

The Bobcats have a host of contributors on that side of the ball.

Lineman Bo Adams leads the team with 125 tackles and is tied for second with six sacks. Bobby Arcand has 115 stops and Garcia 93.

A two-way starter, lineman Dylan Klare has made 91 tackles and ranks first with 22 quarterback hurries. Gonzalez and Irvin Fox are tied for the lead with six sacks, while Adams, Klare and Taylor Henning have five each.

Blanco will test Refugio's resolve.

The Panthers are the most potent offensive team in the San Antonio area with 605 points scored and an average of 437 total yards per game. With Blanco's quarterback and top three ball carriers also starting on defense, the Refugio offense is ready to help the effort.

"If we can wear them out then they won't be any good to them on offense," senior lineman Josh Newman said. "We're going to take it to them."